Abridged commentary of The NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD IN GOTHIC.
07.01.09
MICHAEL JACKSON Wednesday, July 1, 2009 Puzzle by David J. Kahn, edited by Will Shortz In an excellent wordplay tribute to MICHAEL JACKSON(10D. With 25-Down, this puzzle’s honoree), today’s crossword gives itself over completely to the KING OF POP(47A. Nickname for 10-/25-Down). For those demanding symmetry in crosswords, it can be had with the inclusion of DIS(31D. Bad-mouth) and BYE (69A. “Farewell”) as inferences, aplenty of both in the current news. MOONWALKING(3D. Classic part of a 10-/25-Down stage act) and a FALSETTO(67A. Vocal style of 10-/25-Down, at times) were only part of a much bigger act. THRILLER (15A. 1982 blockbuster by 10-/25-Down) headlines a selection of the artist’s works which include DANGEROUS(32A. 1991 hit album by 10-/25-Down), GONE TOO SOON(27D. Song on 32-Across),FOREVER(44D. With 10-Down, 1975 album by 10-/25-Down), and fragments of 40A. “Don’t youASK MEfor no favors” (42-Down lyric on 32-Across),SHE(11A. First word of 10-/25-Down’s “Billie Jean”) and JAM(42D. First song on 32-Across) -- LIONEL(14A. Richie who wrote “We Are the World” with 10-/25-Down) and MOTOWN(68A. First record label of 10-/25-Down) complete the visual balance of the crossword. A hand-full of links for the remaining entries -- ALOE VERA; NEDICKS; TSETSES; SPINET; AUGHT (26A. Zero) sharing it‘s clue with NULL (52A. Zero);LEMUR; LAY (60D. Minstrel’s song).This timely crossword can itself be called a THRILLER!
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Wednesday, July 1, 2009 Puzzle by David J. Kahn, edited by Will Shortz In an excellent wordplay tribute to MICHAEL JACKSON (10D. With 25-Down, this puzzle’s honoree), today’s crossword gives itself over completely to the KING OF POP (47A. Nickname for 10-/25-Down). For those demanding symmetry in crosswords, it can be had with the inclusion of DIS (31D. Bad-mouth) and BYE (69A. “Farewell”) as inferences, aplenty of both in the current news. MOONWALKING (3D. Classic part of a 10-/25-Down stage act) and a FALSETTO (67A. Vocal style of 10-/25-Down, at times) were only part of a much bigger act. THRILLER (15A. 1982 blockbuster by 10-/25-Down) headlines a selection of the artist’s works which include DANGEROUS (32A. 1991 hit album by 10-/25-Down), GONE TOO SOON (27D. Song on 32-Across), FOREVER (44D. With 10-Down, 1975 album by 10-/25-Down), and fragments of 40A. “Don’t you ASK ME for no favors” (42-Down lyric on 32-Across), SHE (11A. First word of 10-/25-Down’s “Billie Jean”) and JAM (42D. First song on 32-Across) -- LIONEL (14A. Richie who wrote “We Are the World” with 10-/25-Down) and MOTOWN (68A. First record label of 10-/25-Down) complete the visual balance of the crossword. A hand-full of links for the remaining entries -- ALOE VERA; NEDICKS; TSETSES; SPINET; AUGHT (26A. Zero) sharing it‘s clue with NULL (52A. Zero); LEMUR; LAY (60D. Minstrel’s song). This timely crossword can itself be called a THRILLER! 
